Small waterfall in the pristine forest.

© TMBW, Foto: Dietmar Denger

Nature Experiences in Baden-Württemberg

Meaningful Protecting Areas in Nature

Out of Love for Nature

There’s Plenty of Everything. Except People.
Where can you still find it: beautiful, untouched nature? Baden-Württemberg is surprisingly full of it. With precious landscapes worth protecting, hidden lakes, mystical gorges, endless forests offering fresh air, wildcats, and wild bees. In the ten large conservation areas of Baden-Württemberg, you can soak up the silence while hiking, let your mind rest while cycling, and open your heart to nature’s spectacles. If you’re lucky, a rare Alpine Ring Ouzel may flutter by.
Sunflower field

© TMBW, Foto: Dietmar Denger

Nature Conversation Areas in Southwest Germany

At a Glance
1

A Third of the State is Nature Parks

Baden-Württemberg is a true nature park paradise - perfect conditions for undisturbed hikes or cycling tours.
2

Miles of Nature

There are 5,000 hectares of protected natural and cultural landscapes in Baden-Württemberg – plenty of room for astonishing biodiversity and ample space for cycling and hiking.
3

#naturebawu

You can find even more tips for the green outdoors in Southwest Germany on our Instagram channel.

Nature Parks in Southwest Germany

Recreation and Conservation in Baden-Württemberg

Protecting through utilisation: Nature parks preserve cultural landscapes, promote sustainable development, and support tourism in harmony with nature and landscape conservation.

  • Go to article
    NatureNature Reserves
    Black Forest National Park
    The Black Forest up close: Into the wilderness! The Black Forest National Park starts right outside Baden-Baden and offers wild nature, peaceful trails, stunning views, and an unforgettable outdoor ex...
    Black Forest
  • Go to article
    NatureNature Reserves
    Upper Danube Nature Park
    The Upper Danube Nature Park awaits visitors with a unique landscape between rugged cliffs, the still young Danube, colorful biodiversity on the plateaus and gentle, rich hilly landscape in the far so...
    Beuron
  • Go to article
    NatureNature Reserves
    Neckartal-Odenwald Nature Park Center
    Charming river and low mountain landscapes in impressive abundance and variety, notch valleys, rocks of either red sandstone or shell limestone as well as meadows and orchards characterize the landsca...
    Odenwald Forest
  • Go to article
    NatureNature Reserves
    Schönbuch Nature Park
    Schönbuch Nature Park is the green lung of the central Neckar region. Located between Tübingen, Reutlingen, Böblingen and Herrenberg, the nature park is the oldest in Baden-Württemberg. It is not only...
    Swabian Alb
  • Go to article
    NatureNature Reserves
    Nature park Schwarzwald Mitte/Nord
    The magic of untouched nature
    Black Forest
  • Go to article
    NatureNature Reserves
    Natural Park Stromberg-Heuchelberg
    The central theme of the natural park is: Wine. Forest. Well-being.With its 33,000 ha is Stromberg-Heuchelberg a small natural park, but for the many cities in the surrounding area the natural park is...
    Stuttgart Region
  • Go to article
    NatureNature Reserves
    Biosphärengebiet Schwarzwald
    Biosphere reserves are regions in which the fruitful coexistence of man and nature is promoted and further developed. Cultural landscapes that have developed over centuries with their very own special...
    Black Forest
  • Go to article
    NatureNature Reserves
    Southern Black Forest Nature Park
    The Southern Black Forest Nature Park is one of the most beautiful, most-visited holiday regions in Germany: Mountains close to 1,500 m high, wild canyons, rustic farmhouses, blossoming meadows, fruit...
    Black Forest
8 / 8
Go to article
NatureNature Reserves
Black Forest National Park
The Black Forest up close: Into the wilderness! The Black Forest National Park starts right outside Baden-Baden and offers wild nature, peaceful trails, stunning views, and an unforgettable outdoor ex...
Black Forest
Go to article
NatureNature Reserves
Upper Danube Nature Park
The Upper Danube Nature Park awaits visitors with a unique landscape between rugged cliffs, the still young Danube, colorful biodiversity on the plateaus and gentle, rich hilly landscape in the far so...
Beuron
Go to article
NatureNature Reserves
Neckartal-Odenwald Nature Park Center
Charming river and low mountain landscapes in impressive abundance and variety, notch valleys, rocks of either red sandstone or shell limestone as well as meadows and orchards characterize the landsca...
Odenwald Forest
Go to article
NatureNature Reserves
Schönbuch Nature Park
Schönbuch Nature Park is the green lung of the central Neckar region. Located between Tübingen, Reutlingen, Böblingen and Herrenberg, the nature park is the oldest in Baden-Württemberg. It is not only...
Swabian Alb
Go to article
NatureNature Reserves
Nature park Schwarzwald Mitte/Nord
The magic of untouched nature
Black Forest
Go to article
NatureNature Reserves
Natural Park Stromberg-Heuchelberg
The central theme of the natural park is: Wine. Forest. Well-being.With its 33,000 ha is Stromberg-Heuchelberg a small natural park, but for the many cities in the surrounding area the natural park is...
Stuttgart Region
Go to article
NatureNature Reserves
Biosphärengebiet Schwarzwald
Biosphere reserves are regions in which the fruitful coexistence of man and nature is promoted and further developed. Cultural landscapes that have developed over centuries with their very own special...
Black Forest
Go to article
NatureNature Reserves
Southern Black Forest Nature Park
The Southern Black Forest Nature Park is one of the most beautiful, most-visited holiday regions in Germany: Mountains close to 1,500 m high, wild canyons, rustic farmhouses, blossoming meadows, fruit...
Black Forest
Tower in the forest.

© TMBW, Foto: Dietmar Denger

Spacious green area with a few trees on it.

© TMBW, Foto: Dietmar Denger

A few sheep peek out from behind a tree.

© TMBW, Foto: Dietmar Denger

Horses in the Black Forest National Park

© TMBW, Foto: Dietmar Denger

Aerial view of a lake with a wooded shore.

© TMBW, Foto: Dietmar Denger

The Ruhestein, at about 900 meters high, is the ideal starting point
for a first exploration of the Black Forest National Park.
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Experience Nature in Baden-Württemberg

What Moments Do You Want to Collect Next?
A hike up a mountain? A break on the bike? Or observing native wildlife? Here’s a little guidance for micro-adventures and outdoor trips right outside your door or a short day trip away.

UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in Southwest Germany

Hotspots of Biodiversity

In the biospheres, cultural landscapes have grown for centuries, where tradition meets innovation, endangered species thrive, and humans and nature live in harmony – protected by UNESCO.

  • Swabian Alb Biosphere Reserve

    Orchard Meadows, Juniper Heaths and Beech Forests

  • Black Forest Biosphere Reserve

    Rocky Landscapes, High Meadows and Panoramic Views
2 / 2

Swabian Alb Biosphere Reserve

Orchard Meadows, Juniper Heaths and Beech Forests

Black Forest Biosphere Reserve

Rocky Landscapes, High Meadows and Panoramic Views

Most Beautiful Hiking Routes through Nature

All Trails Lead through Baden-Württemberg

Gourmet paths, pilgrimage or long-distance hiking trails – plenty of inspiration to make you want to pack your hiking backpack for Baden-Württemberg.

  • Go to article
    NatureHiking
    Premium Hiking Trail - Schluchseer Jägersteig
    Premium hiking trail with magnificent views of the Schluchsee and idyllic, narrow paths in the middle of the beautiful Black Forest landscape.
    Black ForestMedium4h11.9kmLoop tour
  • Go to article
    NatureHiking
    Stockhau circuit
    Along the Schaichtal near Weil im Schönbuch to the Weiler Hütte
    1:25h5.3kmLoop tour
  • Go to article
    NatureHiking
    Walter-Wagner Weg - Todtnauer Geschichte erwandern
    Go on a journey through time. The Upper Wiesental is full of history and stories.
    Black ForestMedium2:33h7.5kmOne way tour
  • Go to article
    NatureHiking
    DonauWelle Eichfelsen-Panorama Hiking-trail
    The tour with the most famous Danube valley panorama of all!
    Medium4:45h14.8kmLoop tour
  • Go to article
    NatureHiking
    AugenBlick Route Bad Wildbad Sommerberg
    The Nature Park AugenBlick Route takes you gently uphill once around the Sommerberg and offers unique views both along the way and at the start and finish points.
    Black Forest1:10h4.4kmLoop tour
  • Go to article
    NatureHiking
    Dem Luchs auf der Spur - Auf dem Luchspfad im Nordschwarzwald
    A family-friendly tour in the Black Forest National Park.
    Medium1:10h4kmLoop tour
6 / 6
Go to article
NatureHiking
Premium Hiking Trail - Schluchseer Jägersteig
Premium hiking trail with magnificent views of the Schluchsee and idyllic, narrow paths in the middle of the beautiful Black Forest landscape.
Black ForestMedium4h11.9kmLoop tour
Go to article
NatureHiking
Stockhau circuit
Along the Schaichtal near Weil im Schönbuch to the Weiler Hütte
1:25h5.3kmLoop tour
Go to article
NatureHiking
Walter-Wagner Weg - Todtnauer Geschichte erwandern
Go on a journey through time. The Upper Wiesental is full of history and stories.
Black ForestMedium2:33h7.5kmOne way tour
Go to article
NatureHiking
DonauWelle Eichfelsen-Panorama Hiking-trail
The tour with the most famous Danube valley panorama of all!
Medium4:45h14.8kmLoop tour
Go to article
NatureHiking
AugenBlick Route Bad Wildbad Sommerberg
The Nature Park AugenBlick Route takes you gently uphill once around the Sommerberg and offers unique views both along the way and at the start and finish points.
Black Forest1:10h4.4kmLoop tour
Go to article
NatureHiking
Dem Luchs auf der Spur - Auf dem Luchspfad im Nordschwarzwald
A family-friendly tour in the Black Forest National Park.
Medium1:10h4kmLoop tour
More about Hiking in Southwest Germany

#respectfornature

How We Respectfully Encounter Our Nature Together in Baden-Württemberg
Explore the Outdoor Etiquette